Reclamation Releases Environmental Documents on a One-Year Water Exchange Between Arvin-Edison Water Storage District and Metropolitan Water District

Media Contact: Pete Lucero, 916 978 5100

For Release: February 22, 2012

The Bureau of Reclamation has released for public review the draft environmental documents on a proposed exchange of water between Arvin-Edison Water Storage District, a Central Valley Project contractor, and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, a State Water Project contractor. The proposed action would include the delivery of up to 100,000 acre-feet of Arvin-Edison Water Storage District’s (AEWSD) 2011 Central Valley Project (CVP) water to Metropolitan Water District (MWD) and, in exchange, MWD would return a like amount of SWP water to AEWSD within a 12-month period.

This action would require approval of a temporary change to the Reclamation’s Consolidated Place of Use (CPOU) provisions and Friant Division Place of Use provisions through a petition to the State Water Resources Control Board Reclamation. If approved, the proposed exchange would occur in accordance with the terms and conditions of the CPOU in effect.

The Draft Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact (Draft EA/FONSI) were prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act. If you encounter problems accessing the documents online, please call 916-978-5100 or e-mail mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov.

Written comments must be received by close of business March 22, 2012 and should be sent to Chuck Siek, Bureau of Reclamation, South-Central California Area Office, 1243 N Street, Fresno, CA 93721. Comments may also be faxed to Mr. Siek at 559-487-5397 or e-mailed to csiek@usbr.gov.

For additional information or to request a copy of the Draft EA/FONSI, please contact Mr. Siek at 559-487-5138, TTY 800-735-2929. Copies of the documents may also be viewed at Reclamation's Fresno office at the above address.

# # #

Reclamation is the largest wholesale water supplier and the second largest producer of hydroelectric power in the United States, with operations and facilities in the 17 Western States. Its facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation, and fish and wildlife benefits. Visit our website at www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR.